Praying Together 2021

155 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Spring begins in September. A new cycle of the earth reveals the beauty of all creation. Let us pray that we will appreciate the environment in which we live. (pause ) God, our Creator, as we recognise the changes in the world around us we give you praise for the changes you bring about in our hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 32:15-20 When the Spirit is given to us from heaven, deserts will become orchards, and orchards will turn into fertile forests. Honesty and justice will prosper in the deserts and orchards. Then justice will produce unending peace and quiet. My people will live in peace, secure and undisturbed, even if hailstones flatten forests and cities. They will have my blessing, as they plant their crops beside streams and let their donkeys roam freely about. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Today is the first day of Spring! Did you hear all the beautiful elements of creation in the scripture reading today? Isaiah talks about deserts, orchards, forests, hailstones, crops, streams and even donkeys. As you sit quietly for a few moments in prayer and enjoy some quiet music, thank God for the beauty of creation - for fresh air and sunshine and rain; for trees and flowers; for rainforests and deserts; for animals and birds. Breathe deeply and feel the peace of Springtime flowing through your mind and body. DISMISSAL May Christ the life create us anew. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. Wednesday Week 22 Ordinary Time 1 September 2021 “Honesty and justice will prosper in the deserts and orchards.”